Vertically adjustable top for furniture



Oct. 21, 1958 J. .1. DOMBEK 7, 5

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE Filed May 20, 1955 4Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTDP J06, J .ZY'WBEA,

J. J. DOMBEK 2,857,225

VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 21, 1953Filed May 20, 1955 I w} MQWBFW ivy/Au; ATTYS.

Oct. 21, 1958 J. J. D-OMBEK VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TOP FOR FURNITUREFiled May 20, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 x W /kw ATTYS Oct. 21, 1958 J. J.DOMBEK VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledMay 20, 1955 m T T A United States Patent ()fifice 2,857,225 PatentedOct. 21, 1958 VERTICALLY ADJUSTABLE TOP FOR FURNITURE John J. Dombek,Chicago, Ill. Application May 20, 1955, Serial No. 509,867

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-39) This invention relates to an adjusting device,and more particularly to a height adjusting device for use with officedesks, school desks, work tables, benches, typewriter and comptometertables, cabinets and the like, and other similar articles, wherein it isdesired to provide a supporting base having a table top or workingsurface adjustable thereto for raising and lowering, although other usesand purposes may be apparent to one skilled in the art.

According to the invention, a height adjusting device is provided incombination with a table supporting base and a table top for regulatingthe height of the table top or working surface. The adjusting deviceincludes generally a plurality of screw rod members coacting with aplurality of nut members, wherein some of the members are directlyconnected to the supporting base while other members are directlyconnected to the table top. Driving means is provided for simultaneousor individual actuation of the screw rods or nuts, such as a manuallyoperable crank.

In one embodiment, the adjusting mechanism includes a metal framesandwiching a series of thin stamped metal gears. At the four corners ofthe frame, the gears are equipped with screw rods that raise and lowernuts carrying a strap-like frame on which the table top or bench top issecured. The gear frame is attached to the frame structure of the desk,table or bench. 'A crank is provided to be connected to one of the gearsand rotation of this crank will drive all of the gears to uniformlyactuate the screw rods for regulating the height of the table top.

Another modification provides a tiltable table top or bench top, whereintwo separate gear trains will be used and driven independently. Thescrew rods will be pivotally connected to the table top and engageablewith a rotatably driven nut.

Still another form of the invention provides that the screw rods aredrivingly interconnected by a system of shafting and screw gearing.

Another form of the invention positions the screw rods horizontally forcoaction with a toggle mechanism to raise and lower vertically guidedtable supporting plates.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an adjustingdevice adapted to be used in combination with a stationary member and amovable member, wherein the relative positions between these members maybe accurately adjusted.

Another object of this invention is to provide a height adjusting devicein combination with a supporting base and a working surface, wherein theentire working surface may be uniformly raised or lowered.

A further object of this invention resides in the provi sion of a heightadjusting device in combination with a table top and a supporting base,wherein the table top may be adjusted as to vertical as well as angularmovement.

Another object of this invention is to provide an adjusting mechanismcomprising a metal frame sandwiching a series of stamped thin metalgears secured to a stationary table base, wherein some of the gears areequipped with screw rods that raise and lower nuts carrying a strap-likeframe in which a table top or bench top is secured, and the rotation ofone of the gears will drive all of them to uniformly actuate the screwrods.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of aheight adjusting device in combination with a table supporting base anda table top comprising brackets which mount a plurality of screw rodsthat are drivingly interconnected by a systemof shafting and screwgears, wherein nuts engaging with the screw rods are carried by a membersecured to the table top and actuation of the shafting and gearingsystem varies the height of the table top.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a heightadjusting device in combination with a table supporting base and a tabletop comprising vertically guided table top supporting plates drivinglyinterconnected with combination screw rod and toggle mechanisms forsimultaneous raising and lowering of the table top supporting plates.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will beapparent from the following detailed description of the drawings, which,by way of preferred examples only, illustrate the invention.

On the drawings:

Figure l is a broken plan view of a table equipped with a heightadjusting device in accordance with the invention and showing someunderlying parts in dotted view;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, with parts inelevation, taken substantially along line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1,with parts broken away for clarity purposes;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detailed view of a portion of the heightadjusting device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a reduced fragmentary perspective view of the heightadjusting device removed from the table;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary broken view of a modified height adjustingdevice, with parts in elevation;

Figure 7 is a broken plan view of the height adjusting device of Figure6, with parts broken away for clarification and showing some parts indotted line view;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary end elevational view ofa table equipped withanother modified height adjusting device, with parts broken away andother parts in dotted line for clarification purposes;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the height adjusting device shown inFigure 8, but being removed from the table;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of still another modified heightadjusting device removed from a table for purposes of showing underlyingparts, but being mountable on a table in the same manner as themodification shown in Figure 8;

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary elevation view of a detailedportion of the mechanism illustrated in Figure 10; and

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken substantiallyalong line XlI-XII of Figure 10.

As shown on the drawings:

' Referring generally to Figures 1-5, a height adjusting device,generally designated by the numeral 10, in accordance with theinvention, 'is shown mounted in combination with a conventional table orbench which comprises a supporting base 11 and a table top 12.

The supporting base 11 includes four rectangularly positioned legs 13held together by end connecting members 14, 14 and side connectingmembers 15, 15, the connecting members also serving as mounting members3 for the height adjusting device as will be hereinafter explained.

The main frame of the height adjusting device is generally U-shaped andcomprises a pair of U-shaped plate members 16 and 17 having upwardlyprojecting flanges 16a and 17a, respectively, along their outer edges inclose association to form a mounting plate for the frame and to maintainthe plates 16 and 17 in properly aligned relationship to form a channel18 accessible from the inside. The bight -of the U-shaped frameconstitutes the longest straight section of the frame and, in mountedrelationship with the table supporting base 11, is fastened along theinside of a side connecting member 15, as seen in Figure 1, withsuitable fastening means such .as wood screws, while the legs of theU-shaped frame are fitted to co-extend along the major portion of theend connecting members 14, 14 to likewise be secured thereto by similarfastening means, such as wood screws.

To prevent the outside corners of the U-shaped frame at the intersectionof the legs with the bight ends from hindering the mounting of the frameon the supporting base 11 and interfering with the corner connectinglegs 13, a portion of the corner of the metal U-frame has been removed,as indicated by the numerals 19, 19 and seen most clearly in Figures 1and 5.

A plurality of upstanding screw rods 20 are rotatably mounted along theU-shaped metal frame and carry a thin stamped metal gear 21 sandwichedbetween the plates 16 and 17 of the frame. In this instance, four screwrods are provided and rectangularly positioned at substantially thecorners of the U-shaped frame. As shown most clearly in Figure 2, thescrew rods 20 function as a shaft for the gears 21, and an inwardlydepressed portion on each of the plates 16 and 17, as indicated by thenumerals 16b and 17b, respectively, are provided to abut against theopposite sides of the hub of the gears 21 to maintain it in properlyaligned position with respect to the frame. The screw rods 29 areadditionally supported at their upper free ends by a bracket 16cextending upwardly from the flanges 16a of the lower plate member 16.The brackets 16c aid in maintaining the screw rods 20 in proper verticalalignment.

A plurality of intermeshing connecting gears 22 are sandwichedv betweenthe plates 16 and 17 of the U- shaped member along the legs and thebight, and in meshing engagement with the screw rod gears 21 to providean interconnecting drive which effects synchronous operation of all ofthe screw rods 20 by the rotation of any one thereof. Each of theconnecting gears 22 are also of thin stamped metal and are supported byvertically parallel shafts pivotally connected at either ends to theplates 16 and 17. One of the screw rods 20 is provided with a manuallyactuable crank member indicated by the numeral 23, and which uponactuation will effect rotation of the screw rods 20 through theinterconnect gear train.

Securely fastened to the underside of the table top 12 are a pair ofstrap members 24, 24. The strap members 24 are in parallel spacedrelationship, each carrying a pair of nuts 25 along a portion which isspaced from the underside of the table top .12. The straps 24 and thenuts 25 are so positioned as to register with corresponding screw rods20 in coacting relationship thereto, so that upon actuation of the screwrods 21 through the crank 23 the height of the table 12 with respect tothe supporting base or the surface on which it rests, may be varied. Inother words. the height adjusting device 19 regulates the height of. thetable top 12, and due to the synchronously driven screw rods 26 engagingthe nuts 25, substantially all points of the table top may be raised orlowered uniformly within the limits of the lengths of screw rods 20.

In the instant case, due to the number of intermeshing connecting gears22 between the screw rod gears 21, a.

clockwise rotation of the screw rod gear 21 connected to the crank 23will effect a clockwise rotation of the other screw rod gears touniformly raise and lower the table top 12 with respect to thesupporting base 11.

Now referring to Figures 6 and 7, a modified height adjusting device isillustrated, wherein identical parts have been designated within theidentical numbers as already used, especially in connection with thetable on which the height adjusting device is mounted.

In this modification, the height adjusting device not only providesregulation of the height of the table top 12, but also is capable oftilting the table top to any desired amount within the limits of theheight adjusting device.

The adjusting device of this modification comprises in general a pair ofactuating shafts 30, 30 in spaced parallel relationship and mountedalong the opposite end mounting and connecting boards 14. The shafts 30are rotatably supported by spaced brackets or journal members 31 whichextend inwardly from the end members 14 and are securely fastenedthereto by suitable fastening means, such as bolts or wood screws, asindicated by the numerals 32.

The shafts 30 carry in locked relationship a screw gear 33 at eachbracket 31 which meshes with a floating screw gear 34. The axis of eachgear 34 is perpendicularly positioned with respect to the axis of theshaft mounted gears 33 and the former are bearingly guided by theterminal end portion of each bracket 31, as indicated by the numeral31a.

The floating gears 34 are internally bored and threaded to mesh withcorresponding threaded screw rods 35 which are vertically slidable andguided within the end portions 31a of each bracket 31.

Four screw rods 35 are provided, two of which are pivotally connected tothe underside of the table top 12, as indicated by the numeral 36 (onlyone shown) along one side of the table top. Along the other side of thetable top, the screw rods 35 are connected to the underside of the tabletop 12 by a swingable link 37 pivotally connected to a correspondingscrew rod 35 at one end as indicated by the numeral 37a, and pivotallyconnected to the underside of the table top 12 at the other end asindicated by the numeral 37b. The swing ing link 37 allows for thetilting of the table top 12 upon manipulation of the actuating rod 30.

Projecting from one end of each actuating shaft 30 and through asuitable bore in the adjacent table leg 13 is a driving extension 38terminating in a square end 38a. A suitable crank 39 is provided havinga socket end 39a to be received over the square end 38a of the extension38 in removable fashion for manual manipulation of the actuating rods30. Thus by independent actuation of the actuating rods 30 the height ofthe table top 12 may be varied with respect to the supporting base 11and the surface on which it may rest, or the table top may be tilted inany fashion, such as illustrated in Figure 6.

Now referring to Figures 8 and 9, another modified height adjustingdevice is illustrated in combination with the table supporting base 11and table top 12.

In this embodiment, a pair of spaced mounting plates 40, 40 are securelyfastened to the opposite end mounting boards 14, 14 of the supportingbase 11.

Each mounting plate 40 carries an inwardly extending flange 41 along itsbottom edge thereof, oppositely aligned vertical flanges 42, 42projecting from the opposite vertical sides of the mounting plate 40 andadjacent the bottom flange 41, and a pair of horizontally positioned andlongitudinally spaced top flanges 43, 43 projecting inwardly from thetop edge of the mounting plate 40.

Between each top flange 43 and the lower flange 41 is mounted arotatable screw rod 44 which carries adjacent its bottom end a screwgear 45, all screw gears 45 being in substantially the same horizontalplane. An actuating shaft 46 extends perpendicular to the screw rods 44and has its ends mounted in the oppositely facing side flanges 42. Apair of screw gears 47 are secured in axially spaced relationship alongthe actuating shaft 46 to be in intermeshing engagement with the screwrod screw gears 45.

An inverted U-shaped member 48 has its bight portion fastened to theunderside of the table top 12, and its legs support at the free endsnuts 49 on outwardly extending portions 50. The strap members 48 arecarried through their nuts 49 on the corresponding screw rods 44, and itwill be noted that the legs of the strap member 48 are positioned withinthe spaced top flanges 43 of the mounting plate 40.

To effect a drive on the actuating shafts 46, an extension 51 projectsfrom one end of the shaft and terminates in a substantially square endto receive a complementally formed socketed crank 52, as seen in Figure8. To effect synchronous movement of the screw rods 44 in each mountingplate 40, a connecting shaft 53 is provided which has its ends mountedin the opposite side plates 40 adjacent corresponding screw rods, andcarries screw gears 54, 54 which intermesh with screw gears 55, 55secured to the corresponding screw rods 44 near the top thereof, and asclearly shown in Figure 9.

Thus, manipulation of the crank 52 will efiect synchronous driving ofall of the screw rods 44 in the adjusting device to uniformly elevate orlower the table top 12 in adjusting the height thereof.

Now referring to Figures 10, 11 and 12, still another modified heightadjusting device is illustrated to be mounted in combination with atable supporting base and a table top in substantially the same manneras the modification of Figures 8 and 9.

In this embodiment a pair of spaced mounting plates 60, 60 are securelyfastened to the opposite end mounting boards, such as the plates 40, 40are attached to the mounting boards 14, 14 as illustrated in Figure 8.

The vertical edges of each mounting plate 60 are inwardly bent to defineoppositely facing guide slots 61, 61 for receiving therein in slidablerelationship a table top supporting member 62. Each supporting member 62carries a horizontal flange 62a along its upper edge for fastening to atable top in a similar manner as are the strap members 48 secured to thetable top 12 as shown in Figure 8.

Each table top supporting member 62 is raised and lowered by acombination screw rod and toggle mechanism comprising in general a screwrod 63 rotatably supported by the mounting plate 60, and a togglemechanism 64 attached to the vertically slidable supporting member 62.Each screw rod 63 is rotatably jonrnaled at opposite ends by a pair ofears 65, 65 extending inwardly from the opposite vertical edges of themounting plate 60 and adjacent the upper edge thereof. A bearing hanger66 is suitably attached to the mounting plate 60 for supporting areduced diametral section 63a of screw rod 63. The bearing hanger alsofunctions as a thrust bearing in prohibiting axial movement of a screwrod. The movable table top supporting member 62 is vertically slotted,as indicated by the numeral 67, in the area of the bearing hanger 66 topermit vertical movement of the plate 62.

At either side of the bearing hanger 66, the screw rod 63 includesoppositely threaded portions 63d and 630 which respectively engageoppositely and internally threaded blocks or nuts 68 and 69 of thetoggle mechanism 64. A pair of pivotally connected links 70 and 71 arepivotally secured to the table top supporting member 62 as indicated bythe numeral 72. The opposite free ends of links 70 and 71 arerespectively pivotally attached to screw nuts 68 and 69, respectively.

To assure simultaneous coacting vertical movement of each table topsupporting member 62, a spur gear train drivingly interconnectseachscrew rod 63 and includes a series of intermeshing thin stampedmetal gears 73 extending between the screw rods and sandwiched between apair of spaced supporting plates 74. The supporting plates 74 aresuitably fastened at opposite ends to gears 65 of mounting plate 60. Itis noted that one of the gears 73 at each end of the gear train issuitably fastened to theadjacent end of the corresponding screw rod 63.

To effect a drive on the screw rods 63, an extension is provided fromone of the screw rods terminating in a substantially square end toreceive the complementally formed socketed crank 75, as noted in Figure10. Thus, manual rotation of the crank 75 effects axial movement ofscrew nuts 68 and 69 in opposite directions along the correspondingscrew rod 63 to shorten the distance between the screw rod and thepivotal toggle link connection 72 and effect upward movement of thetable top supporting member 62. The toggle mechanism 64 and thesupporting member 62 will then take the position as indicated in dottedlines in Figure 10.

Thus, manipulation of the crank 75 will effect synchronous driving ofall of the screw rods 63 in the height adjusting device to uniformlyelevate or lower a table top connected to the supporting member 62 inadjusting the height thereof.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effectedwithout departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the presentinvention, but it is understood that this application is to be limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

'1. In combination with a table top and supporting base, an adjustingdevice for varying the height of the table top which comprises a pair ofelongated supporting plate members secured to opposite sides of thesupporting base, each plate member having a plurality of upstandingscrew rods paralleling each other and said plate, laterally extendingflanges for rotatably supporting said rods, an actuating shaft extendingperpendicular to said rods, oppositely positioned lateral flanges forrotatably mounting said shaft, gears on said shaft and rods inintermeshing relationship, a U-shaped strap having its bight secured tothe underside of the table top and provided with laterally extendingflanges on the free ends of the legs thereof, nuts carried by saidflanges being in coacting relationship with said screw rods, aconnecting shaft having its opposite ends supported by said platemembers, a gear on said connecting shaft, a gear on one screw rod ofeach plate member meshing with the connecting shaft gears, and means fordriving one of the actuating shafts.

2. A vertically adjustable table comprising, a supporting base with apair of elongated supporting plate members secured to opposite sides ofthe supporting base, each plate member having a pair of vertical screwrods at opposite ends paralleling each other and said plate, laterallyextending flanges for rotatably supporting said rods to permit rotationabout the respective rod axes while precluding translation relative tosaid plate members, an actuating shaft between and perpendicular to eachrod of a said pair, opositely positioned lateral flanges for rotatablymounting said shaft to permit rotation about its axis but precludetranslation relative to said plate members, gears on said shafts androds in intermeshing relationship, a U-shaped strap having its bightsecured to the underside of the table top and provided with laterallyextending flanges on the free ends of the legs thereof, nuts carried bysaid flanges threadably surrounding said screw rods, a connecting shafthaving its opposite ends supported by said plate members to permitrotation about its axis but preclude translation relative to said platemembers, a gear on each end of said connecting shaft, a gear on onescrew rod of each plate member meshing with the connecting shaft gears,and means for driving one of the actuating shafts.

(References on following page) 5 References RCited in 'the file 'of thispatent UNITED STATES "PATENTS Hanson Aug. 18, 1908 Wheeler Apr. 13, 1909Duff Apr 27, 1909 Ahby et nal. Nov. 18, 1913 Angell May 31, 1914 MillerOct. 23, 1917 Makower June 5, 1923 8 Temple Oct. 1, 1929 SchlichterSept. 19, 1933 Johnson June 6, 1939 Caldwell July 15, 1941 Hillenbrand'Feb. 29, 1944 Doty Feb. 6, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain 1906

